Planning Permission in Havant
Non-Metropolitan District in South East · Last updated April 2026
Havant is a borough on the south Hampshire coast between Portsmouth and Chichester, covering the towns of Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth, and Hayling Island. The borough has just 1 conservation area, 6 Article 4 directions, and 246 listed buildings. Despite the low conservation area count, the Article 4 directions and Solent ecological designations create important planning constraints.
Hayling Island and Emsworth's coastal settings create particular planning considerations around flood risk and ecological sensitivity. The Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership and Chichester Harbour AONB (which covers Emsworth) add environmental constraints to development proposals.
Havant approved 94.4% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025, with 465 decisions from 509 applications. Housing delivery at 74% triggers the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
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What can I build in Havant?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Havant outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (1), Article 4 zones (6), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Havant outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (1), Article 4 zones (6), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (1), Article 4 zones (6), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Havant | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Havant outside protected zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Havant (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Havant's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Havant
Havant's permitted development framework features just 1 conservation area but 6 Article 4 directions that restrict specific PD rights in certain locations. The Solent ecological designations require mitigation for new residential development. Parts of Emsworth fall within the Chichester Harbour AONB, where PD allowances are reduced. Flood risk on Hayling Island and along the coast is a significant planning consideration. Outside these constraints, standard PD rights apply.
What Havant expects from your project
Local Plan: Havant Borough Local Plan 2036
Havant Borough adopted its Local Plan in April 2021. The coastal borough includes Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth and Hayling Island. The plan provides for around 9,000 new homes and significant employment growth at the Dunsbury Park and Daedalus business parks, with complex policies for managing coastal flood risk.
Emerging / replacement plan
The Havant Borough Local Plan 2036 was recently adopted. The council will monitor delivery through annual monitoring reports.
94.4% approval rate
Havant approves 94.4% of planning applications, above the national average of 86.9%. Well-designed residential applications in this area tend to have a good chance of success.
Conservation areas in Havant
1 designated conservation area
Although Havant has only 1 formally designated conservation area, the borough has other heritage protections. The Article 4 directions protect specific areas from incremental change. Emsworth retains its historic fishing village character with Georgian and Victorian buildings. The council considers the setting of listed buildings and the character of established residential areas when assessing planning applications.
Article 4 directions in Havant
6 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Havant
There are 246 listed buildings in Havant. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Havant's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Havant received 509 planning applications and decided 465 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 94.4% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Havant approved 94.4% of applications in the year ending September 2025 with a 96.8% delegation rate. Major applications were decided on time in 92.3% of cases, with householder at 91.1%. The council processed 465 decisions from 509 applications, including 338 householder decisions. Housing delivery at 74% triggers the NPPF presumption in favour of sustainable development.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Havant
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Havant expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Havant's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Havant
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Havant delivered 1,012 homes against a requirement of 1,359 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 74%. This is well below the 75% threshold, which triggers the most significant consequence: the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” (also called the “tilted balance”). This means planning applications for housing should be approved unless the harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. For homeowners, this is a strong signal — Havant is under considerable pressure to approve housing, making it one of the more favourable environments for residential planning applications in England.
Lawful Development Certificates in Havant
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Havant that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Havant decided 338 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 91.1% is below the national average of 93%, so LDC applications may take longer than the 8-week target. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Havant
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Havant's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Havant must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Havant.
Pre-application advice in Havant
Havant offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is From £60 for householder proposals.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Pre-application advice for householder and commercial developments within the Havant Borough area.
Planning fees and timelines in Havant
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Havant and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Havant
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Havant is provided by Havant Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Havant planning department
Your building project checklist for Havant
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Havant has 1 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Havant has 6 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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